Leviticus 8:13 - Exposition

The investiture of Aaron's sons —Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, Ithamar—follows the consecration of their father. They are robed, according as the Lord commanded Moses in Exodus 28:40 , in the white tunic, the sash, and the cap. But there is no statement here of their being anointed, although their anointing is ordered in Exodus 28:41 , and still more imperatively in Exodus 40:15 . They are spoken of as "anointed" in Le 7:36, and as having "the anointing oil of the Lord upon them" in Le Exodus 10:7 . On the other hand, the high priest is specially designated as "the priest that is anointed" ( Leviticus 4:3 ). It is probable that the personal anointing of the ordinary priests was confined to their being sprinkled with oil, as described below in verse 30; but that they were regarded as virtually anointed in Aaron's anointing. The Levites had no special dress until they obtained permission from Herod Agrippa I[. to wear the priestly robes (Joseph; 'Ant.,' 20.9, 6).